topic Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam in Community Chat

Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

focksie — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:20:05 GMT

My phone rang about 20 minutes ago. A pleasant sounding man with an Indian accent announced that his name was Neil and he was from Microsoft Windows. I said "How can I help you?" He asked if I use Windows 7. I said again "How can I help you?" Then he announced that my computer was going to be blocked in a few hours because Microsoft "picked something up". I said "What are you talking about? WHY am I going to be blocked?" He repeated that the Windows main server was going to block me in a few hours. I said WHY? Then he hung up.

I have to admit, at first I thought I had accidentally gone to an illicit website or something and the FBI was now going to come after me so my heart was pounding a little. He sounded so professional and so legit.

I immediately backed up my files. Then I ran a virus scan. Then I contacted Microsoft and they said they NEVER call customers for such a thing, that I was likely scammed.

Just to reiterate a common sense warning: Don't ever give out any personal information, even info that seems innocuous (like telling the caller I use Windows).

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

scotttie — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:27:34 GMT

I have gotten those calls before and told him I knew he was nothing but a scammer. He called me a filthy name and hung up!

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

Emma bunting — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:30:26 GMT

I just got a call similar to that last week. A guy with an Indian accent told me he was from Microsoft and they had detected an intruder on my computer and they needed me to log on and then follow their instructions.

How stupid do these fools think we are? But I suppose there are a few gullible people left who they can scam into letting them take over their computers.

What a sad way to make a living.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

Topaz Gem — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:32:42 GMT

If I ever got a call like that, I would say, "What computer?" It would totally disarm them, LOL.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

Allegheny — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:25:01 GMT

On 4/28/2014 Topaz Gem said:
If I ever got a call like that, I would say, "What computer?" It would totally disarm them, LOL.

I just thought the same thing, wouldn't that be a hoot! Or something like, "I work for Microsoft too, funny I haven't heard anything about this. Let me make a few phone calls, I'll get back to you.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

DoneTryin — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:29:04 GMT

Love my Caller ID. If I don't recognize the name and/or number, I just don't answer. I Google numbers I don't recognize & about 99% of the time, they're scammers. I get several a day, every day. Just don't answer. Period.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

DoneTryin — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:31:02 GMT

On 4/28/2014 Allegheny said:
On 4/28/2014 Topaz Gem said:
If I ever got a call like that, I would say, "What computer?" It would totally disarm them, LOL.

I just thought the same thing, wouldn't that be a hoot! Or something like, "I work for Microsoft too, funny I haven't heard anything about this. Let me make a few phone calls, I'll get back to you.

Or, keep a whistle by the phone & blast their ears. Or, ask them if they can hold on a sec, then just lay the phone down & leave it. They'll get frustrated & hang up.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:31:12 GMT

I got this same call at work. I hardly ever answer the work phones and when I did, this is the call I got. When I told him he was calling a law firm, not an individual home, he hung up on me. LOL

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

Topaz Gem — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:33:33 GMT

On 4/28/2014 Allegheny said:
On 4/28/2014 Topaz Gem said:
If I ever got a call like that, I would say, "What computer?" It would totally disarm them, LOL.

I just thought the same thing, wouldn't that be a hoot! Or something like, "I work for Microsoft too, funny I haven't heard anything about this. Let me make a few phone calls, I'll get back to you.

HA! I would love to mess with their heads. I'd also say that I worked for Microsoft, then I'd start to ask them company questions, like who they report to, what facility do they work in and what their employee ID was. In my company, employee IDs are not private, so Microsoft may be the same. Either way, the scammer would never be able to answer those questions, LOL.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

focksie — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:34:56 GMT

On 4/28/2014 Topaz Gem said:
On 4/28/2014 Allegheny said:
On 4/28/2014 Topaz Gem said:
If I ever got a call like that, I would say, "What computer?" It would totally disarm them, LOL.

I just thought the same thing, wouldn't that be a hoot! Or something like, "I work for Microsoft too, funny I haven't heard anything about this. Let me make a few phone calls, I'll get back to you.

HA! I would love to mess with their heads. I'd also say that I worked for Microsoft, then I'd start to ask them company questions, like who they report to, what facility do they work in and what their employee ID was. In my company, employee IDs are not private, so Microsoft may be the same. Either way, the scammer would never be able to answer those questions, LOL.

I must remember this. Excellent!

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

scotttie — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:36:16 GMT

On 4/28/2014 LipstickDiva said:
I got this same call at work. I hardly ever answer the work phones and when I did, this is the call I got. When I told him he was calling a law firm, not an individual home, he hung up on me. LOL

DOH!

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

JustJules — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 18:37:42 GMT

This is not new, it is a scam that has been around for a long time. I have received numerous phone calls from "them". I just have fun and string them along... tell them my windows are fine, or that I use a MAC so don't run windows, or that I just don't have a computer so I know they are full of BS. I feel bad for the people that fall for this and get taken advantage of... there was an article in our paper about a local man that got taken for about $5,000 because of this scam. It is truly a shame because they do find people that are not computer literate, some of the older generation that believe whatever they are told.... and it is just so wrong. Sadly, they use phone numbers that cannot be tracked and it is almost impossible to find them to prosecute them. Hopefully the more people hear about this, the more they will be aware. Nobody is going to call you to tell you that you have a virus on your computer... they have no way of knowing that. It's sad how some take advantage of others.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

focksie — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:30:35 GMT

Jules, that's why I posted this, to make people aware. I didn't even realize this particular scam has been around for a while. This is actually the first time I've ever had a scam attempt. I've always been on the Do Not Call Registry and never had problems even with telemarketers, but lately I'm getting a lot of krap calls and now this.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

kittymomNC — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:37:43 GMT

I had this exact same phone call about a week ago. On occasion my DS's cell will come up with "Caller Unknown", and that's why I answered it. My first thought was "Windows is calling individuals???" I let him keep talking, he said if I continued to use my computer for another few days without letting them "fix it" it would totally crash, and when I tried to ask him questions, he said "Listen to me" in a very loud voice.....of course, I then launched into my own tirade of "Don't you talk to me like that!" and "I don't know who you are or what you're doing.....!", at which time I heard "click".

I did the same thing and called McAfee, they took control of my computer and ran a scan, then checked out some other things, and said I was fine. Believe it or not, she said they've had people who believed these nuts and gave them information which ruined their computers.

I was so busy with my little sick cat at the time of the call, I didn't even think to post a warning on here. Thanks for doing that, it may save some people a lot of problems.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

Topaz Gem — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:42:21 GMT

If people are still getting calls, then it's worth repeating as often as possible. I imagine that these scammers lay low for awhile, then launch another campaign in a different part of the country, where they've never called before. If one of these threads can alert even a few posters that were unaware, then it's worth it.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

JustJules — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:46:20 GMT

On 4/28/2014 focksie said:
Jules, that's why I posted this, to make people aware. I didn't even realize this particular scam has been around for a while. This is actually the first time I've ever had a scam attempt. I've always been on the Do Not Call Registry and never had problems even with telemarketers, but lately I'm getting a lot of krap calls and now this.

I know, and I am glad you did. I applaud you... sharing your experience only can help others. Like I said, I have had numerous calls, and not naive enough to believe any of them, but others are too forgiving, and get taken advantage of. It's a horrible and awful scam... hope people become more aware.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

ShowMe — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:56:40 GMT

I've had that one too.......

Also, at least sometimes 2 or 3 times a day I will get a call from Bank Card Services. I have answered their calls a couple times and went to their #1 and have said to the......"You have been reported to my Attorney General." One time one of the gentlemen that took my call said to me "Ohhhhh"......then hung up on me. There was a gentleman being interviewed here locally on the evening news talking about this Bank Card Services.....he also gets 2 or 3 calls in one day from them. And, that is harassment.

The funny thing is, I don't have any credit cards.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

ROMARY — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 02:57:39 GMT

Make up a name similar to a law firm every time you answer the phone! Or make up a foreign-like language. Or, if you are lucky enough to speak another language, use it!

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

adelle38 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 02:59:20 GMT

If they say my computer has a problem, I just say, I've never owned a computer.

Re: Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam

JustJules — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 03:13:29 GMT

On 4/28/2014 ROMARY said:
Make up a name similar to a law firm every time you answer the phone! Or make up a foreign-like language. Or, if you are lucky enough to speak another language, use it!

What if funny is that our phone number is one digit off a local law firm... so we get calls for them all the time. Your post made me laugh.